News
Government Reiterates Plans to Ensure Property Agents Are Professionally Qualified
In last week’s Westminster debate, Alex Norris, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government reiterated the Government’s plans to regulate property agents, as recommended in Lord Best’s 2019 report on the regulation of property agents (ROPA).
Mark Chick | Head of Landlord & Tenant | Bishop & Sewell
Speaking in the debate, Alex Norris said: “We want to reform the existing system...... to act to protect leasehold from poor service from managing agents.”
“...we have said that as a minimum, we will include mandatory professional qualifications for managing agents, to ensure that they have the skills that they need to carry out their role to a high standard.”
While much of the rest of the half hour debate focused on frustration because of further delays to the consultations required, the reiteration of the Government’s objective to regulate property agents is to be welcomed.
A great focus of the complaints from leaseholders is on the way that buildings are managed, with an over-arching request for buildings to be managed professionally and reasonably. There is a hope that with more professionalism will come improved communications, additional transparency and increased fairness.
The role of a managing agent is complex, requiring knowledge of Landlord and Tenant law, building construction, health and safety regulations, accounting and so much more. Making professional qualifications mandatory for managing agents sounds like a step forward. It remains to be seen what exactly is meant by ‘professional qualifications’ and this needs clarification, but the general direction of travel is to be applauded and a consultation on the subject is expected later this year.
The ROPA proposals included the introduction of minimum entry requirements and continuing professional development for property agents, the establishment of an independent property-agent regulator, and a mandatory and legally enforceable Code of Practice for property agents. When the parameters of the consultation are published, we will see how serious the Government is about strengthening the regulations.
In my view, so many of the significant concerns relating to leasehold concern to management and it is great to see this point getting some parliamentary ‘air time.’ Whilst there is much to do in the agenda for reform of the law in this area, the regulation of managing agents would in my view be a simple, practical step that would ease the problems being experienced by many at the hands of bad managers and drive up standards within this critical part of the property economy.
Contact Bishop & Sewell’s Landlord & Tenant team
If you have a query concerning leasehold property, then please contact our expert Landlord & Tenant team by emailing leasehold@bishopandsewell.co.uk or call on 020 7631 4141.
The above is accurate as at 10 June 2025. The information above may be subject to change. The content of article should not be considered legal advice, and each matter should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Welcome to Earl Kendricks Spring/Summer Edition Newsletter!
This issue showcases how they are continuing to go the extra mile across the UK—from advancing building safety and cladding remediation to launching their specialist Akt. Neighbourly Matters team. They highlight key project successes, industry insights on CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act, and their commitment to sustainability through retrofit innovation. Plus, get the latest news from all teams across regions, exciting event appearances, and how they are supporting the National Autistic Society. Dive in and discover how thy are building excellence—inside and out.
Record Attendance at TPI Seminar 2025
This May saw TPI once again return to the QEII centre in central London for what turned out to be a records breaking TPI Seminar 2025, with around 885 attendees ensuring that it was literally standing room only in many sessions.
The seminar opened with an update from TPI CEO Andrew Bulmer, whose speech provided not just an update on TPI activities but also a look ahead at changes coming down the line for the industry.
Among much else, he pointed out that mandatory qualifications appear to be almost inevitable - something he said the TPI welcomed - and that it was possible that formal regulation of property management could follow. As a result, he urged both individual members and member firms to prepare themselves for mandatory qualifications at the very least. “We are expecting that existing qualifications will be respected - what they call ‘grandfathering’ - but that will require up to date CPD record,” he said.
TPI was also delighted that Building Safety Minister Alex Norris agreed to deliver the seminar’s keynote speech, in which he doubled down on the government’s commitment to building safety. The speech was followed by a Q&A session, with questions supplied by delegates.
Speeches from journalists Peter Apps and Kate Lamble followed, both of which served as a stark reminder of the plethora of errors and examples of mendacious behaviour that led to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. As one delegate put it: “You could have heard a pin drop.”
A session on strengthening safety through competence from the Building Safety Regulator was similarly well received, as was the now legendary legal update from Brethertons, while two separate presentations from psychotherapist Adam Laidler provided much food for thought.
All in all, TPI Seminar 2025 provided a fascinating mix of practical advice and sometimes challenging insight - and remained busy from start to finish.
SAVE THE DATE: TPI ANNUAL SEMINAR - THURSDAY 21 MAY 2026
We hope you can join us next year for another inspiring day—full of brilliant speakers, excellent networking, and a little more 'PINK' magic!
Cross-Sector Building Safety Alliance Publishes Golden Thread Tools
The Building Safety Alliance, a cross-sector collaboration of leading industry figures and various associations and bodies, has published detailed guidance around the golden thread concept.
The Building Safety Act 2022 requires accountable persons to demonstrate the effective assessment and management of building safety risks through the collation and maintenance of information. The Building Safety Alliance guidance has been published in three parts, including a master list of documents and other information sources currently used by industry, which can be used to identify the key data which needs to be specified for the golden thread information requirements.
The work builds on the Construction Leadership Council's golden thread guidance released last year and has been undertaken over several years of voluntary effort by an expert panel.
While this edition of the guidance is aiming to support technical people familiar with the legislation and its golden thread requirements, the publication signals a soft launch. Stakeholders are invited to join the collaboration to adapt this standardised approach for anyone in the built environment who needs to meet golden thread duties.
Anthony Taylor, Chair of the Building Safety Alliance, said: “I’m proud to be part of this cross-sector collaboration, which included experts from across the digital built environment, experts in information requirements, data structuring, management and labelling.
“Our thanks in particular go to Mark Snelling and Alison Verdin, the technical authors of the prescribed documents table, nima, the BIM for social housing toolkit team, the policy teams at MHCLG and the Building Safety Regulator and the Chair of the group Gordon Mitchell who brought his experience in ISO/ and European Data standards to bare.
“The aim of the soft launch is to ensure that we can now adjust the standardised framework and guidance to various personas and audiences across the built environment so that we can continue to simplify the complex regulatory environment for those needing to navigate it.” Gordon Mitchell, Chair of the Building Safety Alliance Special Interest Group 3, said: “Our aim was to integrate existing standards and industry frameworks - such as ISO19650, various safety standards and Uniclass, - to enable harmonisation and compatibility, streamline processes, and enhance information sharing across the built environment.
“But we’re not done yet, we’re seeking to deliver on a long-term vision of a fully integrated and digitally enabled built environment of the 2050 world and will continue to collaborate in the building safety space to that end.” To download the guidance for free and for more information about supporting the Building Safety Alliance’s work, please visit buildingsafetyalliance.org.uk
Principle Wins Another Major London Contract
Principle Estate Management has been appointed by South Kensington Estates (SKE) to manage Empire House and Dalmeny House, two historic mixed-use buildings on Thurloe Place, London, , SW7, following a competitive tender.
A long-standing landowner in the area, dating back to the early 17th century, SKE manages an extensive portfolio of over 300 properties in the area, encompassing a wide variety of shops, restaurants, offices, art galleries and residential spaces.
Richard Blake, property director at SKE, said: “Principle’s growing reputation in London, their expertise in managing historic and mixed-use buildings, and their consultative approach with both leaseholders and freeholders made them the ideal partner for this specialist instruction.
“We will continue to manage the commercial tenancies directly and know we will have a close working relationship with Principle on areas of overlap.”
Located just a five-minute walk from South Kensington Underground station, Empire House and Dalmeny House are situated opposite to the V&A Kensington and moments from the Natural History and Science Museums. They are a short stroll from Harrods and Brompton Road, an area where Principle has recently expanded its management portfolio with Lincoln House.
Brett Williams, joint managing director at Principle, said: “My early interest in buildings and architecture led me to become a chartered surveyor, I’m delighted to add these stunning heritage buildings to our portfolio. We are thrilled to have been entrusted with the management of these properties.”
Empire House is a Grade II listed Edwardian building with previous lives as a showroom, warehouse and offices of the Continental Tyre and Rubber Company. Designed to mirror the style of the V&A, it was converted into retail and residential use in the 1920s.
Dalmeny House was completed later, in 1927, for residential use, with four retail units. It shares a site with the Rembrandt Hotel which also contribute towards the service charge. Both properties retain period features throughout.
Rachael Hornby, Principle’s director of property in London, is ideally placed to offer expert support to SKE.
She said: “High Risk Buildings as defined under the Building Safety Act, now require specialist capability alongside traditional leasehold management expertise.
“The mixed-use nature of these properties adds further complexity, as does their heritage and listed status. This instruction covers all these elements. It will be a privilege to lead our property management and building surveying teams to engage with residents, retailers and SKE.”
Principle’s appointment by SKE marks another milestone in its expansion within London’s prime real estate market, further establishing the company’s position as a leading specialist in the management of high-value, complex, and historic properties.